Collapsible form for concrete pipe



Aug. 4, 1925.

'l'.l DE LA MARE COLLAPSIBLE FORM FOR CONCRETE PIPE Filed Dec. s. 1925 z sheets-sheet i ATTO RNEY Aug.4, 1925. 1,548,355

' T. DE LA MARE CCJLLAPSIBLEk FORM FOR CONCRETE PIPE Filed 1360.78, 1923 2 sheets-Sheet 2 Hl ATTQRN IY Patented Aug. 4, 1925'.

THOMAS DE LA MARE, OF TOOEL'E, UTAH.

COJLAPSIBLE FOR-M FOR CONCRETE PIPE.

Application led December 8, 1923. Serial No. 679,369.

To @ZZ whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, THOMAS Dn LA MARE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tooele, in the county of Tooele and State of Utah, have invented a new and useful Collapsible Form for Concrete Pipe, of which the following is a specilication.

lThis invention relates to a collapsible form adapted to be used as a core for concrete pipe while the same is being made, and its use is of particular advantage in connection with the making of pipe to be used underground. In the practical operation ofthe invention, the pipe is made in situ; that is, the form is set up within the trench and the concrete is poured around the same in the position in which it is to remain.

The general object of the invention is to provide a suitable form for the purpose stated which is of novel construction, which may be made in various sizes to correspond to the sizes of pipe to be formed, which may be expanded and locked in position to form the core of the` pipe, and whichmay be easily contracted and withdrawn from the pipe after the concrete has set.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in combination with the form above referred to, means specially constructed so that it is adapted to be easily manipulated in the trench where the pipe is to to be laid, thereby to effect the desired adjustment of the form.

The invention consists further in certain details of construction and combinations of elements which will be more fully explained in connection with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the preferred form of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the invention in operative position, with parts thereof broken away and shown in section.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section. i

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4l is a transverse section taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a transverse section, with the form contracted, taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a detail view of the means for expanding and contracting the outer por-tion of the form, the latter being shown contracted.

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of the locking means, and showinoalso the adjustable connections between the actuating rod and lever.

Figure S is a front elevation of the dam used at the outer end of the form.

The form 10, in connection with which the invention is used, is made from resilient sheet steel, approximately in the shape of a cylinder when in normal position. The inner end of this form is received within the outer end of the concrete pipe 11, previously constructed within the trench 12, while the outer end is supported in alinement with the pipe already constructed. The form 10 at its upper sideterminates in downturned flanges 13, which may be reinforced by angle irons 15 secured to the undersides thereof, and which are spaced apart so as to permit the contraction of the form, and the withdrawal of the same from the pipe after the latter has set. 'When the form has been set in position for the concrete to be poured around the same, the space between the flanges 15 is covered by an arcuate metallic strip 16, which completes the cylinder as shown in Figure 4i. Before the concrete is poured, this strip 16 is covered by a strip of canvas 17, or similar material, so as to prevent adherence of the concrete to the strip 16. After the concrete has set, the form 10 is forcibly contracted by means hereinafter described, and separated from the concrete, whereupon the same may be easily removed along with the strip 16, and the canvas strip 17 may then be easily detached from the inside of the pipe.

For the purpose of expanding and contracting the form 10, a pair of spaced upstanding bearing members 18 are secured within the bottom of the form near its inner end, and are provided at their upper 1 0@ ends with opposed slots 19, within which a trunnion 20 is rotatably held by pins 21 or other suitable means. A cylindrical member 22 is rotatably supported by the trunnion 2O,V

and a pair ot oppositely inclined wabble wheels 23 are secured to or formed integral with the member 22. rl`hese wheelsr23 have deep peripheral slots 25, which are-adapted to receive the downturned flanges 13 and the adjacent fianges of the angle irons 15, and as will be obvious, when the member 22 is rotated, the danges 13 and 15 will be moved Youtwardly to expand the form 10, as shown in Figure 4, or moved inwardly to contract the same, as shown in Figure 5. l

ln order that the wabble wheels 23 may be positively rotated, the member 22 is provided between the wheels with peripheral gear teeth 2:3 which are adapted to. mesh with a rack bar 27, saidrracli bar being' provided with a yolie 23 embracing the member 22, and holding the rack bar always in mesh therf-nvith.v Secured to the outer end ot the rack bar 27 is a sleeve 29, to which an extension rod 30 isV secured, as by means of a pin 31. The outer end of the extension rood 3() extends between a pair ot upstanding spaced plates 32, which are rigidly secured to the bottom ot the form by means of angle bars 33. The plates 32 are provided near their upper ends with rows ot registering pertorations 34, and the rod is provided with a row ot transverse horizontal holes 35, so that the rod 30, along with the rack bar 27 and the wheels 23, maybe locked in any desired position by passing a pin 36 through selected holes 34 and 35. Thus, the form 10 may be locked in the expanded position to which it may be adjusted.

The extension rod V3(7) and raclr bar 27 are movedv longitudinally to expand or contract the forms through the medium of anactuating` lever 37, which may be pivoted` at itsV lower end to the angle bars 33, as shown at 38, and which is adjustably connected to the outer end ot the rod 30 by mea-ns of a sleeve 39 ot special construction, as shown in detail in Figure 7. This sleeve is provided at one end with a. pair ot opposed elongated ears 40, having series ot registering perforations 41, any pair ot which may be connected to the lever 37 by a pin 42. The opposite end ot the sleeve 39 is' provided with. series o-t vertical per'lorations` 43, which may' be selectively connected to similar vertical holes 44 `in the rod 30 by means of a pin 45. The holes 44 are offset longitudinally Vwith respeci to the holes 35, so as not to interfere therewith. Thus, it will be` seen that awide range ot' adjustment is secured between the rod 30 and plates 32, as well as between the rod 30 and the lever 37 It is to benoted also that the innerportion ot. the sleevel 3 9' is cut awayat the sides, as shown at 46, so

- as to uncover the holes 35.

lllhile the oppositely inclined wheels 23 are used to expand and contract the inner end ot the form, I prefer to employ different means for expanding and contracting the outer end ot the form', and this means I will now describe. The angle irons 15 are cut away for a portion ot their length, and guide rods 47 substituted therefor. These guide rods are secured at their inner ends to the angle irons 15, and diverge toward the outer end oi the form terminating in inwardly turned ends 48, which are secured to the outer continuations 15a of the angle irons 15, as best shown in Figure 6. The inclined portions of the guide rods 47 entend through perforations 49 in a cross head 50, which eX- tends transversely of the extension rod 30, and is secured thereto by means oil a set Screw or the like.

The form, as it is set up lior operation, is supported at its inner end in the outer end ot the pipe 11 already formed, while 'its outer end may be supported by a Jroot 52, or other suitable means, so that` the concrete may be poured around the form and coinpletely surround the same. At the outer end oi the form, a dam 53 is provided, which will prevent the concrete from running be yond the end 'ot the term. This dam is provided centrally with a slot 54 within which the lever 37 may be operated, and is provided with resilient wings 55, adapted to; be wedged between the sides ot the form and the sides of the trench 12.

In the operation ot the invention,` the contracted form is first inserted into the end. of the pipe 11, as shown in Figures` 1 and 2, and the lever 37 is then rocked to* ward the right until the inner end ofthe form is expanded to the required diameter by means'ot the inclined wheels 23, while at the same time, the cross head riding inwardly along the inclined guide rods47 serves to expand the outer end oii the form. The sleeve 39? may be suitably adjusted, with respect to the extension rod 30 and the lever 37, to eitect the desired expansion. 1When the desired point is reached, the `torm is locked in that position by the insertion ot pin 3G through correspondingA holes 34 and '35'. The arcuate cap 16 is then laid across the s Jace between.` the flanges 13 as shown ia .Figure 4, and the canvas 17 is laid on` so as to cover the cap The dam is then wedged into the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, and the form isready orthe con.- crete to be poured. After the concrete has been poured, the form is lett in this position until the initial set has taken place, when the same may be removed by contracting of the 'form as will be understood.

From the foregoing description it wilt be seen that the invention is particularly adapted to be used in a small; trench, `and may be man-ipulated withthe greatest facility whether the pipe be large or small, `and after the concrete has set, the form may be` easily contracted and withdrawn and set in position for pouring the next section of pipe.

While l have described in considerable detail the specific construction of the invention, it is to be understood that this is merely illustrative and that various modifications may be made in the size., proportion, and general arrangement of the various parts, and in the specilic details of construction Without departing from the salient features of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. In a device of the character described, the combination of a flexible body adapted to form a core, oppositely inclined ivabble Wheels supported Within the body, means for simultaneously rotating said `Wheels, and means connecting the ivabble Wheels With the body so as 'to expand the saine when I the Wheels are rotated in one direction and to contract the body when the Wheels are rotated in the opposite direction.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a flexible form having inturned spaced longitudinal flanges, a pair of oppositely inclined ivabble Wheels having peripheral grooves receiving said flanges, and means for rotating the Wabble Wheels to separate or draw in said flanges and thereby expand or contract the form.

3. ln a device of the character described, the combination of a sheet metal body approximately in the shape of a cylinder to form a. core, a rod disposed longitudinally Within the body, means for moving the rod longitudinally in either direction, oppositely inclined Wabble Wheels operatively connected with the body and actuated by the longitudinal movement of the rod to expand or contractthe body, and means for locking said rod in any desired position of adjustment.

t. ln a device of the character described, the combination of a contractible and expansible body.7 adapted to form a core, a rod disposed longitudinally within the body, a lever having one end pivoted at the bottom of the body near one end and operatively connected with one end of the rod to move the same longitudinally by the rocking of the lever, means for adjusting the relation between the rod and lever, and oppositely inclined rvabble Wheels operatively connected with the body and actuated by the longitudinal movement of the rod to expand or contract said body.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a core comprising a piece of sheet metal approximately in the shape of a cylinder, With inturned fiangcs extending longitudinally adjacent its edges, a pair of Wabble Wheels mounted 0n a transverse axis inside the core and having peripheral grooves receiving the respective flanges, said Wheels being oppositely 1nclined with respect to the axis, and means for rotating said Wheels to contract or cxpand said core.

6. ln a device of the character described, the combination of a body formed from apiece of sheet metal rolled into aporoximately cylindrical shape and having inturned longitudinally spaced flanges at its edges, a` rod supported Within the body, means for moving the rod longitudinally in either direction, and oppositely inclined vvabble Wheels engaging said flanges and operatively connected to said rod, to be rotated by its longitudinal movement so as to move said flanges bodily toward or aivay from each other to cause contraction or expansion of the body.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of a flexible form having inturned spaced longitudinal flanges, a pair of oppositely inclined Wabble Wheels having peripheral grooves receiving said flanges, a gear secured to said Wabble Wheels, a rack formed With an integral yoke embracing the gear and holding said rack positively in engagement therewith, and means for reciprocating said rack to rotate the ivabble. Wheels and thereby to expand or contract the form.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of a substantially cylindrical form of sheet metal having inturned spaced longitudinal flanges, a pair of oppositely inclined coaxial vvabble Wheels having peripheral grooves receiving said flanges, and reciprocatary means for rotating the Wabble Wheels to spread or draw in said flanges and thereby expand or contract the form;

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of a. substantially cylindrical form of sheet metal having inturned spaced longitudinal flanges, a pair of oppositely inclined coaxial Wabble Wheels having peripheral grooves receiving said fianges, a gear located between said Wabble Wheels in fixed relation thereto, a rack, means forholding the rack in constant engagement with the gear, and means for reciprocating the rack.

l0. In a device of the character described, the. combination of a substantially cylindrical form of sheet metal having inturned spaced longitudinal flanges, a pair of divergent guide rods secured to the respective flanges near one end of the form, a longitudinally movable actuating rod disposed Within the form and having a head slidable on said guide rods for expanding and contracting the forni at one end, and means actuated by the rod for simultaneously expanding and contracting the other end of the form.

1l. In a device of the character described, the combination of a substantially cylinlll) drical form of sheet metalV having intnrned spaced longitudinal flanges, a pair of dr vergent guide rods secured to the respectiveV flanges near one end of the forni, a pair of oppositely inclined Waloble Wheels mounted on a transverse axis beneath the angesnear the other end of the form and having peripheral grooves receiving said flanges, and reciprocable means slidable on said guide rods to expand or contract the saine and operatively connected with the wheels to rotate the latter.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing asnny own, I have hereto aixed my signa.-

ture.

THOMAS DE LA MARE. 

